Since 1965, Rainmaker Festival concerts have been logged as one of St. Albert’s premier events.
This year’s Rainmaker Festival, taking place Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24 at St. Albert Kinsmen grounds, is two days of saddle bronc, bareback and bull riding contests where urban cowboys step into a world of high competition.
But at night it’s time to relax, down a few brews and put our patriotism on full display enjoying a complete lineup of Canadian talent from legacy country artist Gord Bamford to folk-rock stalwarts The Rural Alberta Advantage (RAA) to name a few.
Concert goers can look forward to different musical acts every evening. Friday night is billed as Rock Night with three acts: Juno-nominated RAA, the ever-popular Royal Foundry and party band The Ramifications.
On Saturday, Gord Bamford takes to the stage as the marquee entertainer with opening acts CCMA recipient Kalsey Kulyk, Morinville singer-songwriter Justin Hogg and St. Albert’s Mourning Wood.
Friday rock night
Rural Alberta Advantage
Billed as rock night’s headliner, Rural Alberta Advantage (RAA) last released their fifth studio album, The Rise & Fall, in 2023 making the trio ready to offer new music in addition to older hits.
Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Amy Cole performs alongside drummer Paul Banwatt and Nils Edenloff (lead vocals, guitar and keyboard).
RAA has consistently been praised for their live energetic performances, catchy blend of musical genres, strong stage presence, dynamic musicianship and the ability to connect with audiences.
“The last couple of years really tested us as a band, and made us ask ourselves, ‘Why do we want to make music right now?” said Cole. “And I think the answer is that, when the three of us get together, something happens that we now know is rare and special.”
The Royal Foundry
In the past decade since Bethany and Jared Salte first formed The Royal Foundry, the couple has revitalized their sound from a folk duo to an alt-rock pop with hints of alternative and synth pop.
Their fifth album, Be Kind Rewind released in 2024, is a unique double EP with 16 tracks.
“It’s all nostalgia based. The album burst out after we had a house fire and needed to move in with my parents. In my old bedroom, it was an opportunity to go down memory lane and see the music posters from the 90s with Michael Jordan and Creed on the walls,” said Jared Salte.
Royal Foundry has released 16 singles. Their talent and snappy songs have garnered international attention. Running Away won the $75,000 Peak Performance Project and was featured on TSN as the opening song for the CFL. Their 2016 single Start This Fire was featured in a Purina Dog Chow commercial and Dreamers played at Toronto’s World Cup of Hockey and Disney’s 2017 line of wedding dresses.
“We’re always evolving as artists, and we’re influenced by different stuff. We don’t listen to much music. We listen to podcasts and read books. Our creative process is very little sitting down for something specific. That kills the creative process. Most of our ideas are random meets.”
For the Rainmaker’s 70-minute set, the duo is bringing drummer Nathan Marshall.
“We’re fairly upbeat. One song blends into the next.”
The Ramifications
Dean Lonsdale started Edmonton-based The Ramifications as an original band in 2012.
“We had massive success on radio, but no major label backing. If you don’t have support to push songs on radio or arrange tours, your popularity declines. We wanted to play high-level venues, so we switched to playing covers and never looked back,” said Lonsdale.
After performing outdoor festivals, corporate gigs, casino events, night clubs, weddings and special occasion parties, the band has amassed more than 100 songs of assorted artists from Aretha Franklin’s Respect to Teddy Swims’ The Door.
“Now more than ever in this time we live, it’s important to drop barriers of social, political, economic and racial constraints and come together with the vibrations of music.”
Country Night
Gord Bamford
After 25 years in the music industry, Gord Bamford celebrates his opening gig of the Just Gettin’ Started Tour at the Rainmaker on Saturday. And it’s a major coup for the St. Albert-based service club.
Bamford is a national icon, one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music as the recipient of 26 Canadian Country Music Awards.
This concert promises to be a walk down memory lane as the Alberta-based singer-songwriter honours his journey, the hits, the memories and the fans that have made this past quarter-century an unforgettable ride.
Most of the venues on this tour are based in small cities and towns.
“I wanted to give back to grassroots people. Over the next couple of years, I’ll be everywhere,” said Bamford who is thrilled to be at the centre of country music’s increasing popularity.
“I’ve seen country music go from pop country to the '90s sound. But I always go back to the grassroots of country. I love going back to the 90s traditional country.”
Although Bamford launched a successful career in Lacombe, he also spent about five years in Nashville.
“I had young kids at the time, and I had a publishing deal in Nashville. I wanted to be in a songwriting circle. Everybody wants to break into the US market. But I learned a hard lesson. It’s very cutthroat and controlled by major labels. Being back in Canada was one way to play music and be creative. I’m also an entrepreneur who has 10 to 11 people who rely on me for a paycheck, and I want to keep everybody working,” said Bamford.
And the entrepreneurial spirit is also dedicated to assisting charities. To date Bamford has raised close to $6 million through the Gord Bamford Foundation that supports organizations such as Kidsport Alberta, Lacombe Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Make a Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House in Central Alberta.
Bamford also mentioned Rust, a new 10-track album due to be released at year’s end.
“It will take you back to the grassroots of country.”
Kalsey Kulyk
Raised in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, Kalsey Kulyk was born to sing. By age three she was performing for family and friends and at 13 started songwriting on her guitar.
At age 15 she developed a temporary setback – a case of Hodgkins Lymphoma. However, Kulyk worked through it successfully and has been cancer free.
Inspired by the grassroots country of Lee Ann Womack, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain and Emmylou Harris, Kulyk blends old-school country with her personal modern stylings.
Her 2022 single Big Deal was a danceable chart topper while Damm You Love and Ain’t Enough Whiskey caught the attention of more fans. But it was the 2023 breakout single Love Me Like an Outlaw that is making her a household name.
“It was a game changer for me. It hit 18th on Canadian Country Radio and it really helped get a record deal with Universal,” said Kulyk.
While most artists release one single at a time, Kulyk is putting out double singles in one go – an original and a cover song from a favourite artist.
When the singer-songwriter releases her song, You Fight Dirty, she’s pairing it with Womack’s I May Hate Myself in the Morning and alongside her Neon Cowgirl, Kulyk is releasing The Chicks’ Cowboy Take Me Away.
“I really want to get across my brand. I grew up listening to country on a Saskatchewan ranch. Mom used to play it a lot. That’s what inspires me as an artist and where I pull my inspiration from. I’ve never been into pop country, although some teams have worked to put me in that genre. By releasing those songs, it’s what resonates with me.”
Justin Hogg
Every year after the CCMA weeklong bash honouring the best country singers across Canada, Morinville singer-songwriter Justin Hogg is inspired to write a song.
His latest single, Picture Perfect released May 9, is an uplifting look at love with a dual hook. Prior to Picture Perfect, Just Drive was his first big success tipping the scales in the Top 100 of Canadian Country Radio and boosting his profile.
The upcoming Rainmaker stage performance is Hogg’s third time playing to audiences.
“I sang in 2019 and 2022. The Rainmaker has been amazing to me. They used to have me drive artists around. I’ve been around for a long time. Performing at the Rainmaker has helped me get connected.”
Although Hogg met Bamford at industry events, this is his first opening for him.
“Gord is a reserved person, but he genuinely cares about the people around him. He’s about giving back, and he cares about his music. In my next step in life, I’d like to give back. I think it’s important for all musicians to give back.”
And as for how Hogg would rank the Rainmaker Festival?
“I’ve played lots of festivals. But Rainmaker is my favourite. It’s a hometown festival. When I get up on the stage and see so many faces, I know it’s special. I would never say no if they asked me again.”
Mourning Wood
Mourning Wood kick-started in 2003 as a St. Albert high school garage band. Through the last two decades, it polished its style as an in-demand cover rock band across the province.
Mainstays at Century Casino and LB's Pub, the band has also played festivals and special occasions across the province.
“The Rainmaker is an opportunity to show off our country side. We’ll probably be singing songs like Post Malone’s I Had Some Help and Luke Combs' Beer Never Broke My Heart. And then there’s classics like Wagon Wheel and Country Girl by Luke Byron,” said Luc Riopel, vocals and rhythm guitar.
Joining him are Dan Blais (bass guitar), Greg Williamson (drums) and Royce Rak on lead guitar. Riopel describes performing at the Rainmaker as slightly “surreal.”
“I’m a self-taught musician and the whole point of being a musician is working towards an energy exchange between artist and crowd. When you only have one hour to impress, we have to come out guns blazing.”
The festival takes place at St. Albert Kinsmen Fair Grounds, 47 Riel Drive. Tickets are available at rainmakerevents.ca.
